L.A.'s studs fragile after loss

By Mike Finger :
May 18, 2012

Los Angeles Clippers' Blake Griffin (32) shoots over San Antonio Spurs' Boris Diaw (33) in the first half of game two of the Western Conference semifinals at the AT&T Center on Thursday, May 17, 2012. Kin Man Hui/Express-News (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)

For Blake Griffin, the opportunities looked just like they always did. Throughout the Los Angeles Clippers' 105-88 loss to the Spurs in Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinals Thursday, he would see a spot on the floor, was sure he could get there, and was certain Chris Paul would soon put the ball in his hands, just like they'd done for months.

The difference was this time he didn't always get to the spot. Paul didn't always get him the ball. Griffin's sprained left knee might have been one reason. Paul's balky right hip might have been another.

And then there was the explanation that terrified Griffin the most.

"I don't know how much of that is mental," Griffin said. "I hope it's not mental."

Whether the Clippers' problems originate in their heads or their plethora of lower body parts afflicted by a growing list of maladies, they're in trouble nonetheless. Trailing 2-0 in the series as it shifts to the West Coast this weekend, their first order of business was convincing themselves they have the physical ability to come back.

"No excuses, man," said Paul, who limped through his second consecutive subpar game, finishing with 10 points, five assists and eight turnovers. "I've got to play better."

Before tipoff Thursday, Clippers coach Vinny Del Negro pointed out that his two stars' ailments put them on opposing in-game production curves.

Paul, with his strained right hip flexor, typically needs time to get the injury loose and figured to play better as the night progressed. Griffin, on the other hand, is dealing with a problem that gets worse and more painful the longer he stays on the court.

Unfortunately for the Clippers, Paul and Griffin never managed to reach their peak at the same time. Paul, as Del Negro feared, was tentative and ineffective early, committing more first-half turnovers (five) than he had points (two) and assists (two) combined.

Given multiple opportunities to blame his poor performance on his injury, Paul repeatedly declined. Unlike Griffin, he completely dismissed the idea that his body isn't allowing him to do what his brain wants.

"My body's going to let me," Paul said. "My body is just fine."

On Thursday, by the time Paul finally found a bit of rhythm late in the third quarter, Griffin was wearing down. Griffin, who finished with 20 points but just one rebound, made his most noteworthy fourth-quarter impact when he swung to block a Tony Parker shot and threw his arm across Parker's neck after hitting the ball.

Griffin was levied a Flagrant 1 foul on the play, a punishment he thought was undeserved."I went for the ball, and I got ball," Griffin said. "My momentum got him."

With little momentum of any other kind, the Clippers are grasping for answers. And whether it's their bodies or their minds, they know they don't have much margin for error.